For the past three years, I have been marching on the football field with my school's marching band. On the field, I was marching with my best friends. I was either spinning across the field 20 yards away from them or spinning right in front of them making silly faces.

The worst/best part of marching band is the two-week-long band camp when we learn our show for the fall season. Camp would be from 8 am-5 pm. During the day we would have marching blocks, which is when everyone is on the field learning how to march as a group. Then we would split into sectionals and learn how to work as a group. This is when you would meet the people you will be marching with for the season. After that, it was lunchtime.

After lunch is the best part of the day, time to learn drill. This was so fun but also funny to watch the freshman trying to learn how to read drill. Then we march back and forth, then try and put the music/work with it.

At the end of the two weeks, we would show what we have so far. Parents would be cheering even if we sounded horrible. It's always a fun experience, but the fun was only beginning.

Now it was time to travel around and compete. This is where you meet other band kids from other schools and become friends with them. When I meet a band/guard person, I feel like there is almost always a click because we have the same interest. There may be blood on that field, but it's all love off the field.

Then it was onto the winter season. Last year was the first year that my school started competing in MCCGA (Mid Continent Color Guard Association). This is when I got out of my shell and found the amazing friends I have today.

I remember yelling, "Hey, you want some cookies!" to someone completely random. Little did I know, he would become my best friend that I could just spill out my guts without him judging me.

I have made countless friends in the marching band community, that I plan on keeping for a lifetime.

Marching band is not only an activity, it is a passion.